Seeing that I am still extremely new to this Eat Clean lifestyle-this is my very first weekend to try and be good with all of the temptations that surround me trying to trap me. I will NOT give in! I’ve decided to share a few recipes I have found that will lure you away from all of the yumminess that surrounds you, that will seriously put you back to square 1! DO YOU REALLY WANT THAT??? I didn’t think so. I found this recipe on http://www.eatclean.co.za and I think it is a great way to add something sweet into your day, so you don’t swerve towards all of the dangerous cakes, cookies, and sweets around you house or at the shop!

INGREDIENTS:

5 dates

2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1-2 scoops whey protein

10 almonds

2 tablespoons goji berries

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon raw honey

3 tablespoons almond butter

1 teaspoon desiccated coconut

1/4 cup shredded coconut

TELL ME HOW TO MAKE THESE:

Chop dates finely and place almonds in water to soak, once soaked for about 10 minutes-chop almonds up.

Place all ingredients EXCEPT shredded coconut in a food processor and mix, until well combined and a smooth texture.

Roll mixture into balls.

Lightly dip the balls into WARM water and roll in shredded coconut until you’re happy with the coverage.

Today was the second time my dear friend, and motivation/inspiration, Charly and I hiked up Lion’s Head this week! It was a spectacular day! Not much of a breeze, not a cloud in the sky! We met up with two of her friends, who kinda forced us to step it up a notch in comparison to Tuesdays hike! It was boiling hot, and every step I took was one hundred times worse than Tuesday! At times, I honestly thought I wasn’t going to make it, but once we got past the ugly part, and up to the final leg-doing the chains, ladders and the rock climbing it wasn’t as bad…until the very end, where my legs were shaking, I felt like I could quite possibly throw up and it was just so boiling hot!

But, like all things in life, you need to keep going until you reach the top, or you just live with regret. Truth is, I knew I was capable of doing it, but my silly mind was playing tricks on me. If I could do it on Tuesday, I could do it today-despite how hot it was, and despite what my legs were telling me. As Charly always tells you-your body will thank you! And, it sure did when I had reached the top! Once again.

Once I was up there, I looked down and felt absolutely victorious! As if I had finally conquered all my personal problems in life. I felt as if I was looking down on them, and all of a sudden seeing them as these minute things that were so unnecessary! What an incredible feeling! We relaxed at the top for a little while, just taking in the extraordinary views surrounding us! Then it was time to go down. On Tuesday we ran down, and I was ready to take this on, once again! So, off we all set. Jumping down rocks, climbing down the chains and ladders, and all of a sudden came the part we were all waiting for! And, with a skip, hop and jump-before we knew it we were at the bottom again, where we began 2 and a bit hours before. WE RAN DOWN! We did. And, it was the best feeling in the World. I looked up-and there stood that mountain I had yet again dominated! That feeling of accomplishment.

And, as we drove off-I looked back up at that mountain of wonders-and silently waved, blew a kiss goodbye and thought, ‘Thank you! Thank you for helping me have faith in myself. Thank you for helping me achieve this one thing that I needed and wanted so badly.’ Til next time, Lion’s Head. It won’t be long! See you next week!